Elan Speed Magic 2018-19

Finally, an expert ski for expert women. Packed with the latest of Elan's technologies and not lightened for the sheer sake of being a women's ski, the Elan Speed Magic is one ski we loved to test again and again and again.

Performance

If you've been looking for a ski that allows you to push your limits and delivers when you really commit, then the Elan Speed Magic is for you.

Dynamic and punchy, the precision and agility really shows the Speed Magic's racing heritage. With a radius of 10.5-14m depending on which length you go for, the Speed Magic definitely sits towards the slalom end of the racing spectrum and short to medium turns are where it really excels.

At just 68mm underfoot the Speed Magic certainly loves to find an edge and goes into the turn with confidence and ease. Longer carved turns require more precision from the pilot as the Speed Magic is so keen to turn, but rising to that challenge is simultaneously fun and progressive.

The Arrow Technology of the shaped carbon plates and titanium structural layers work together in the tip of the ski to give super-easy turn initiation and the power and energy transferred up to the tip goes straight onto a solid edge that feels like it will hold through anything. Combined with the Early Rise Rocker of the tip and tail, it all works to increase the smoothness of the ride and delivers a really well balanced feel.

Performance also comes from the Power Shift, a free flex plate-in-plate design that dampens vibrations within the Speed Magic beautifully, reducing chatter particularly on hard-pack snow.

At 68mm underfoot, it's certainly more of a challenge off-piste but it will work for expert skiers who embrace the experience of earning their turns. On the piste the Speed Magic is a great option for the improving advanced skier as the responsiveness will tell you immediately when you are getting it right.

At £530 including bindings the Speed Magic is towards the higher end of the market but it is completely worth it. Elan have a reputation for quality and justifiably so. If you're on the hunt for a dynamic piste ski to keep you at the head of the chasing pack, the utterly fantastic Speed Magic is the only ski you'll ever need.